Hi-

I am looking for help in finding things to do with our 15 year old and 11 year old daughters and husband during our visit to palm desert this August. We are staying at Marriott Plam Desert resort. We will fly in/out of LAX. I know it is VERY hot so I want to have some plans before we go. Thanks-

It will be HOT in August. Pool time will be the most favored activity. There's a water park (Knott's Soak City) in Cathedral City that would appeal to teenagers.

You might also want to take a trip up on the Palm Springs tram - the temps are much lower up on the hill.

If you want to hike, golf or play tennis, I'd recommend getting up early and doing it before the heat becomes unbearable. I think there is a jeep tour out to the canyons that does an early morning breakfast tour.

There are lots of movie theaters in the desert and lots of shopping as well. Hit the indoor mall in Palm Desert during the day and save the outdoor shopping (El Paseo and downtown Palm Springs) for later in the day.

There's also a fun market night in downtown Palm Springs on Thursday evenings.

As for food, there's a ton of choices in the desert. Just be sure to treat your kids to an In N Out Burger sometime during their stay in Southern California. There's one in Thousand Palms or you can find plenty on your drive in and out of LAX. ANd don't forget to try a date shake while you're out in the desert.

Make sure you check the schedule for VillageFest before you show up there (about a 25 min. drive from the Marriott). It usually goes dark in August for a few weeks.

I recommend hanging by the pool from 10-11 a.m. on until the sun dips behind the San Jacintos. The Marriott has a great pool area. And I recommend you hit the spa for some well-deserved relaxation, mom.

Sightseer's suggestions are good.

PS L

How about going to the IMAX theater one hot afternoon.

tram usually has a dinner special which i hear is good. go up in the afternoon to get away from the heat and stay for dinner.
the water park is good but it will be so hot you'll just want to be in the water where a lot of people get burned.
in the summer, you want to have all your physical activities done by about 9:30 a.m.

In all honesty I cannot recommend the food at the top of the tram. We have annual passes and go up frequently, but take our own food. Just an opinion.

PSL